Tirzepatide is a weekly injectable medication that is FDA approved to treat Type 2 Diabetes and is used “off label” to help individuals lose weight. It belongs to two different classes of medications: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIP). GLP-1 receptor agonists are not new to the market, in fact this class of medication has been intensively studied and has been on the market since 2005. Some medications in this class are already FDA approved for weight loss (Wegovy). Tirzepatide combines the effects of a GLP-1 and GIP medication making it the first medication of its kind. Tirezpatide was approved by the FDA to treat Type 2 Diabetes in May of 2022. In October of 2022, due its success in managing Type 2 Diabetes and promoting weight loss, it was granted a “fast track” review by the FDA for approval to treat obesity. Trials specific to weight loss are currently underway and are expected to result as early as April of 2023.

Taking a medication that is made for diabetes will not harm you. This medication will not cause your blood sugar to drop, and you do not need to test your blood sugar while you are on it. However, as with all medications, there are risks and benefits. We advise that you take the time to do your due diligence and determine if tirzepatide is right for you. We are happy to answer any questions you may have along the way.

Tirzepatide is not a medication that is used to control a person’s blood sugar levels like insulin. Therefore, it is not necessary for survival and is instead used in addition to other medications (like metformin and insulin) to help people with diabetes lose weight and lower their hemoglobin A1C. The use of tirzepatide for medical weight loss is considered an off-label use of the medication.

Off-label use means that healthcare providers are prescribing a medication for a purpose other than what it was initially approved for. Think of it this way, propranolol is a medication that is used for treating high blood pressure. It can also be prescribed for people who have trouble speaking in public or as a preventive medication for migraine headaches. The latter two instances are off-label use. Similarly, bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an antidepressant that can be prescribed to people who want to quit smoking. Prescribing off-label is a very common practice but is one that is not talked about often. And yes, it is legal! According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “…once the FDA approves a drug, healthcare providers generally may prescribe the drug for an unapproved use when they judge that it is medically appropriate for their patient.”

Our goal at Restore Wellness Collective is to help you meet your healthy weight loss goals quickly, safely, and at an affordable price. Research shows tirzepatide results in greater weight loss than Wegovy. After a 40 week trial, participants on tirzepatide lost on average 25 lbs while those on Wegovy lost an average of 13 lbs. That's almost twice as much weight in the same amount of time!

Tirzepatide works in several ways. First, it is a powerful appetite suppressant which helps curb those pesky cravings resulting in a decrease in your total daily calorie intake. Second, it slows down how quickly your body empties your stomach leaving you feeling full longer. Lastly, it helps your body better manage, store, and use the sugars you naturally take in after a meal. Together, this combination produces impressive weight loss! Studies have shown that using tirzepatide can lead to an astounding 22.5% total body weight loss!

Tirzepatide is a once per week injection given under the skin. As you can see below, the dose is slowly increased over time to prevent or lower the severity of unwanted side effects and monitor your body’s response to the medication. We will teach you how to draw up tirzepatide and give it to yourself so you can do it in the comfort of your home. If we determine tirzepatide is right for you, you will receive thorough written and verbal instructions walking you through the process. Dosing for tirzepatide generally follows this schedule: Weeks 1-4 inject 2.5 mg weekly Weeks 5-8 inject 5 mg weekly Weeks 9-12 inject 7.5 mg weekly Weeks 13-16 inject 10 mg weekly Weeks 17-20 inject 12.5 mg weekly Weeks 21-24 inject to 15 mg weekly Please keep in mind you DO NOT have to increase to the maximum dose of 15 mg. Some individuals' weight loss goals are met at lower doses and some individuals experience unwanted side effects at higher doses. Therefore, we will work with you to tailor our program to your needs.

The MOST COMMON side effects that people report while on this medication are: Constipation or diarrhea Nausea with or without vomiting Low appetite Indigestion General feeling of malaise when increasing doses Tirzepatide may decrease the efficacy of oral birth control. It has NOT been shown to decrease the effectiveness of non-oral contraceptives (ie, IUD, depo provera, nexplanon, etc). Those using an oral birth control should use condoms for 4 weeks after starting tirzepatide treatment and for 4 weeks after each dose increase. While all medications come with the possibility of side effects, that does not necessarily mean that you will experience them. We have individuals who have not experienced a single side effect, and others who have experienced them all. We will work with each person to minimize side effects and ensure the best possible outcome.

Once you meet your weight loss goal, you will begin to taper down to a lower maintenance dose. The maintenance dose is different for everyone. It is a dose where you are no longer continuing to lose weight but are staying steady at your goal. You may choose to taper off the medication completely and maintain your goal weight with the lifestyle changes and tools you have learned over the course of this program. If you find yourself gaining the weight back, you may restart the medication.

Unfortunately, tirzepatide is not right for everyone. Some of the main disqualifiers for this medication are: Type 1 Diabetes Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding Those who have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, thyroid tumors, or multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2 (MEN2) Those with a personal history of diabetic retinopathy Those with gastroparesis or severe gastrointestinal diseases Those with active gallbladder disease Those with a personal history of pancreatitis or pancreatic disease (i.e. cancer) Although those with Type 2 Diabetes may be great candidates for tirzepatide, we do not prescribe tirzepatide to individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. If you have Type 2 Diabetes we encourage you to discuss this medication with your primary care provider or endocrinologist to determine if this medication is right for you.

We source our tirzepatide from a compounding pharmacy in Florida. It is then shipped overnight via UPS.

A compounding pharmacy is a pharmacy that specializes in making medications that are tailored to an individual. The FDA describes them as “the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient.” The compounding pharmacy we use sources all their ingredients from a United States, federally inspected and regulated supplier. They also test their products for sterility and endotoxin prior to releasing them for dispensing.

No, we do not accept insurance. The reason for this is because tirzepatide used for weight loss is considered an off-label use and is therefore not covered by insurance. If you are a type 2 diabetic and would qualify for insurance to cover this medication, you should speak with your primary care provider and discuss whether starting a GLP-1 medication is right for you. We do accept HSA/FSA cards.

The cost of the consultation is $50. This is an hour long appointment where we discuss the medication and how it works, side effects, what you can expect in terms of length of time needed to lose your desired amount of weight, counseling on diet and how to inject the medication yourself, as well as weighing in and taking before photos. If you choose to start the day of your consultation, your total cost will be $474.99. Every visit thereafter will be free and you will just be paying for the medication and supplies. The price of the medication varies by dosage. For the first several months, the price will be $424.99. We will try to keep you at the lowest price point for as long as possible. When your weight loss plateaus, we will have to increase your dose and that will also increase the price. We have deeply discounted the higher doses because we understand what a big financial commitment this is. Included in this price is your visit, medication, supplies, training, and counseling. Because tirzepatide is not covered by most insurances, if you were to pay out of pocket for this medication at the pharmacy, it would cost about $1100 or more per month. Through Vagaro's Pay Later option, patients do have the choice to pay over time instead of all at once.